Chapter 2: The white Lion and the Snow Prince

The road to Winterfell was rough and the terrain dreary but Jaime didn't mind, he actually quite liked the peacefulness of the empty spaces of the north besides compare to the grey waste that was the Iron Islands anything was an improvement. It had been less than two moons since his life had changed, he probably should have headed home with the rest of the Westerlands forces considering he was their new Warden, but the thoughts of having to see his father's body and the inevitable looks he'd have faced from the Lords of the west was something he wasn't ready for just yet.

So to Winterfell it was, he'd been surprised when Stark had asked if he wished to accompany the king, surprised even more when for some reason he agreed "Thank you Lord Stark, I think I will" he enjoyed the stunned expression on the wolfs face. They were to stay for only a short time, a boon to Stark no doubt having the king in his keep, from there on to White Harbor and home, his father's body to be laid to rest in the hall of heroes' besides his forefathers.

He had written to Tyrion to explain what had happened, telling him that he would return soon and was sorry that he couldn't come quicker, he could have of course but for some reason he wished to go to Winterfell "what a strange world we live in" he said aloud to the bemusement of the two guards nearest him.

As they crested a hill the castle came into view, large and grey but very impressive, the walls and towers looked ancient but sturdy, he looked to the front of the procession to see Stark and the King laughing and joking with one another, just kiss already he thought as a smile appeared on his face.

When they entered the castle he saw what must have been every single resident awaiting their liege lord and king, almost as one they dropped to their knees, "Winterfell is yours my lord, and yours your Grace" stumbling over his words the man looked as uncomfortable as could be, the long serious face of the Stark's evident, don't these people ever smile he thought, before the man showed he could "Benjen, it's good to see you brother", he watched as the Stark's embraced, his thoughts going out to his little brother alone in Casterly Rock, soon Tyrion soon.

"Rise all of you and Welcome your Lord home, we dealt the squids a mighty defeat and your Lord was at the very heart of it" the king boomed across the courtyard, "Cat you look as beautiful as ever" a tall auburn headed woman blushed as the king kissed her hand "and this, this must be your boy, a fine Warden of the north he'll make one day, wont ya lad" the king brushed his hand on the shoulder of a young auburn headed boy as his mother looked on proudly.

"Your grace, my lord, perhaps we should take this inside, the weather seems about to turn" Catelyn turned to the small little Girl beside her, she too auburn headed like her mother "Sansa won't you say hello to your father" the girl shyly looked up before yelping in joy as Ned pulled her up and swung her around, a little girls laughter filled the courtyard and once again I was in place I wished not to be, "where's Balerion princess, he's hiding father, oh shall we find him then, no father no tickles.", I felt the tears welling in my eyes so quickly turned around and walked to my horse.

As Jaime was escorted to his room he noticed a small dark haired boy swinging a sword at a straw dummy, his form was terrible but the strength he was showing was surprising before he realized the boy was angry and taking it out on the nearest available object, "Keep your chin up boy" the boy looked at him and for a second he thought he saw purple in his eyes but he realized he was mistaken, as the grey eyed boy looked at him "I'm sorry Ser, I didn't mean any offence" he dropped the wooden sword and sloped off towards the stables "don't worry lad, none given" but he was already out of sight.

The feast that night was a dull affair, sure the northerners had a different way of feasting than those in the south and the king was in his usual boisterous mood, manhandling serving girls and getting drunker by the second, the only satisfaction Jaime got was seeing Stark's disapproval aimed at someone other than him, his wife was sitting beside him with a thunderous look on her face. Surprisingly though it didn't seem to be the king's behavior causing that look, instead it was focused on something at the back of the hall or more precisely someone.

The boy from earlier sat there among what appeared to be servants and guards, he was laughing at something one of them was saying when he looked to the high table, as soon as he did the smiles stopped and a look of seriousness that stirred something deep inside of Jaime took over instead, where have I seen that look? Who is this boy? Jaime though as he decided to look more closely, but before he could a loud bang at the front of the hall grabbed his and everyone's attention "well help me damn you" Trant and Blount moving quickly to pick the drunken king up, his former sworn brothers, this is what the kingsguard has become arse wipers to a drunk king.

He turned from the looking at the fat oaf to search for the boy once again only to find his seat empty, where had he gone? he got up from his seat and left in search of him, his curiosity getting the better of him, it didn't take too long to find him, there he was once again, sword in hand beating the hell out of a new straw dummy "your form is terrible" he turned to me "Ser... I..." I smiled trying to put the boy at ease "Lord Jaime Lannister" the boy frowned as he heard his name, dammit, "would you like some pointers" finally a smile, "Yes Ser, I mean my Lord".

For the next couple of hours Jaime went through stance's, footwork and forms and the boy proved to be a quick study, quicker than most boys at an age much older than he was "what's your name lad" his face suddenly darkened "Jon, Jon Snow my Lord" ah a bastard, so this was the boy that stained the honorable cloak of Ned Stark "well you've got talent, young man, if you keep it up you'll be an excellent swordsman one day" the smile he gave him was blinding, blinding and familiar, no, no it couldn't be.

The dreams came to him again that night, the bodies placed before the throne, Children, I see no children, I see only dragon spawn, Ser Jaime have you seen Balerion the little girl asked, mother said I'm not to let Balerion near Egg, but Egg wants to meet her, Look after my children Ser Jaime, things will change when I return, please Ser Jaime you have to help us away from here, my children and I aren't safe with Aerys, now Egg, mother say's you're not allowed to play with Balerion, Ser Jaime, Ser Jaime, I found her, she was hiding all the time, the smile on the little girl's face was blinding as she showed Jaime her cat, he woke up in a cold sweat, it was the same smile, it was Rhaenys's smile.

Jaime got out of bed and threw some water on his face, the coldness a welcome respite from the thoughts in his head; it had to be, but how. he began to play the events of the rebellion back in his head, Stark had left after arguing with the king, he had stood up for Elia and her children and called it out for what it was. murder, then he left to lift the siege at Storms End, then what, damn why couldn't he remember. He quickly got dressed, it was early but perhaps breaking his fast would clear the fuzz from his head.

He sat down to eat the honey covered porridge, savages the northerners may be but this is certainly the only dignified way to start the day in this cold land, each bite making him feel better. He finished up and went outside to the training area, a part of him hoping to see the boy again, but it was too early and he was alone, so he picked up a sword and began going through the motions, feeling the calmness he always did when he did this. After a few minutes Jaime turned to put the sword back down when he noticed him, he'd been watching and was mimicking his movements as best he could; it made him smile to see how close he came to copying them.

"What brings you out so early young man" he shot him a surprised look at the sound of his voice "noth..nothing my Lord, I was just watching", "you were doing more than watching, you were copying and doing a damn good job of it" a guilty look quickly became something different, was that pride, it was, good he was right to feel pride, six name days old and he was already showing more promise than boys twice his age. "My Lord, those moves, why do you do them" the question caught Jaime off guard for a moment "Why do you think", He watched as the boy pondered the question before answering "because the more you do them the easier they are, then doing them feels easy and calms you down", the boy surprisingly said.

He looked at the lad, closer than he had before, he could see it clearly then, the shape of the nose, the cheekbones, the purple in the eyes when the light hit them a certain way, it all became clear, he was Rhaegar's son and that could only mean that Lyanna Stark was his mother, "Yes lad, well done, that's exactly why, would you like to practice some more with me" and there it was that blinding smile once again.

They practiced for a couple of hours, at some point the auburn headed boy Starks heir Robb turned up "what are you doing, Snow, that's the kingslayer" Jaime grimaced "Lord Jaime was teaching me swords, he's really good" and he couldn't help but smile "whatever" Robb turned around and headed back towards the hall, "Don't mind him, he's not a morning person" Jon turned towards him smiling as they continued and began a mock spar.

Later on after the two had parted Jaime went back and sat in his room, Stark had broken the siege at Storm's End and went to Dorne, then he returned with his sister's body and a bastard, no one questioned it because if the great honorable Ned Stark was claiming a stain on his damnable honor then it must be true, but what happened, was the boy even a bastard, Jaime needed to know, he needed to speak with Stark.

Jaime left his room and headed towards the great hall, on the way he heard a raised voice so stopped to listen, "boy what where you doing with Lord Jaime, a bastard like you shouldn't be near their betters, I'll not have shame brought upon my family by the likes of you" he could hear the sniffles as if he was standing beside the boy "from now on I don't want to see you anywhere near any of the noble lords, it's enough I have to tolerate your presence, I won't inflict it upon those better than you, by the seven what would they think of us" she turned to walk away before Jaime managed to round the corner, Jon sat there on the ground tears rolling down his face and as much as he wanted to go to him, he knew that he'd be embarrassed "I'm sorry, I won't do it again" I turned away angrily to look for Stark.

It took him almost the rest of the day to get a moment to talk to Stark, he and the king were joined at the hip, Jaime had always heard that Lyanna was the great love of the kings life but the more he saw of him and Stark together the more he thought that perhaps Ned was the Stark he loved. "Lord Stark, may I have a moment of your time when your ready" Stark looked at him with annoyance clear in his face "I'm very busy Lord Jaime" yeah kissing the kings arse you damn toady, "I wish to speak with you about your son" his annoyance turned to confusion now "Robb, why would you want to speak about Robb" Jaime almost laughed of course he'd think it was the heir especially considering he was his only son "no not Robb, I wish to speak about Jon" Jaime watched as the color drained from his face "certainly, how about we meet in my solar in an hour" Jaime agreed before waling away.

As he headed to the solar to meet with Stark, Jaime grew more determined in his course of action, Rhaegar's son didn't belong here, bastard or not, he deserved better than to be belittled by a stepmother that hated his existence, deserved better than to grow up meek and mild, the boy had talent but he'd never be allowed to hone it here, he'd never be allowed to be anything other than a bastard, I failed Rhaegar once, not again. Jaime thought. As he reached the solar he noticed the guards outside, was Stark worried about something, was he afraid he'd out his secret, good let him be afraid, that'd make what needs to be done easier.

"Lord Stark, Lord Jaime is here to see you" a guard opened the door before he heard Stark invite him in, he motioned to the seat and offered a glass of wine, a part of Jaime worried he'd poison him if he knew that Jaime knew but he figured that guest rights were way to important to his honor for even that, so he accepted the wine and sat down

"My wife has told me Jon has been hanging around you Lord Jaime, I'll see to it that he doesn't bother you again, I've already spoken to..."

Jaime quickly put his glass down, gods were these people really that dumb "You misunderstand me Lord Stark, I'm not here because the boy was bothering me, quite the opposite in fact, I'm here because I want the boy to be my page and then squire, I want the boy to earn a knighthood".

Stark looked at him with a mixture of shock and horror, he reached down and picked his glass of wine up emptying it in one swallow "excuse me, but what". Jaime looked at him to see curiosity in his eyes, he was trying to read him. "I said I want the boy to earn a knighthood, he's very talented, under the right tutelage he could be incredible, I want to train him" Stark looked dumbfounded and then angry

"No".

"Why not"

"He's of the north; we don't care for knighthoods here"

"Really isn't your master of arms a knight, didn't Jorah Mormont get knighted by the king, don't the Manderly's have knights in their family, or are they not Northmen"

"That's different, they're not Starks"

"Neither is Jon"

"How dare you, he may be a bastard, but he is my son"

"Is he"

Stark looked at him as if he wanted to kill him, his face was red with rage; he stood up and gripped the table looking him directly in his eyes.

"He is my blood"

"Yes but not your son"

"GET OUT"

The two guards rushed in hearing their Lord's raised voice, hands on their swords the looked at Jaime as he sat there, both of them just waiting for the word from their liege to strike him down, not that they would have been able to but ready to try all the same.

"Lord Stark, we should finish this conversation in private, rather than have others know of what we speak"

Stark looked at him, then at the guards, before looking at him again, "that'll be all lads, move to the end of the corridor and make sure we're not disturbed"

"Are you sure my lord" Stark nodded at the smaller one before they both took their leave.

"What do you know?"

"I know that Jon is Rhaegar's bastard with Lyanna"

"He's trueborn"

"What"

"They were married in front of Lyanna's gods on the isle of faces and in the light of the seven at a small sept near Harrenhall"

"Jon, is trueborn"

"Yes"

"You raised the rightful heir to the throne as a bastard"

"Robert is king"

"JON IS KING and you raised him as a bastard so your fat friend could sit on his throne"

"I protected him, as was my sister's wish"

"YOU PROTECTED YOUR FRIEND AND LET YOUR NEPHEW SUFFER BECAUSE OF IT"

Stark looked at him with guilt in his eyes and Jaime felt his anger seep out, Rhaegar's son, his trueborn son raised as a bastard, but alive, in this way Stark had done something he could not, he'd saved Rhaegar's child and for that he was grateful

"What are your plans for Jon, Lord Stark?"

"I..."

"You have none, you won't legitimize him or give him his own keep, so what, have him be a guard, a master or arms, or will you ship him off to the nights watch"

"The nights watch is an honorable calling for a bastard"

"But Jon is not a bastard is he, he's trueborn, he was born a king and you'd send him to a damn penal colony, why?"

"He'd be protected there; he'd be no threat to Robert if he took his vows"

"You'd damn you nephew to protect that fat fool, you'd let Rhaegar's line die with him, that's how you repay your promise to you sister"

"I...I..."

"Let the boy come with me, I'll train him, knight him when he's ready"

"And why would you do this"

"I made a promise too Lord Stark, a promise which I failed to keep, but now I have the chance too, Let the boy come with me, let me give him the future you could not"

Stark looked drained, he filled his glass once more and swallowed it again in one swoop, finally he looked up at me resignation and was that a spot of gratitude in his face.

"Ok"

Jaime stood up and left the solar, feeling lighter than he had in years, He'd been given a second chance, a chance to right the wrongs his father did, to right the wrongs he did, He'd train Jon, help him how he could and when the time is right, He'd put him where he belonged, on the throne that was rightfully his.